SturmTiger (V2)

[406 Silverado]

Good to hear about the base but sorry to hear your under the weather.
As for the desert idea, not a good one as this tank never saw the desert. You might get some flak if you go that route. Just a thoght.

[noll]

Sept 16, 2012 20:39:13 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Good to hear about the base but sorry to hear your under the weather.
As for the desert idea, not a good one as this tank never saw the desert. You might get some flak if you go that route. Just a thought.

On the plus side, being sick means that I can spend more time modelling ( well, when I'm not lieing down ).

About the desert idea, I know that Hitler's high command delayed the production of the SturmTiger by about 6 months (to focus on building more Tigers). If Hitler had got his way, and the SturmTiger began to be manufactured in May 1944, then its theoretically possible that my one was destroyed halfway up a beach in Italy somewhere.


-Oliver

[406 Silverado]

A beach makes more sense than the desert. You could do it as ' what-if' and that will work. If your only posting here then we won't dog you much for it...LOL, else where then you will hear from the technical buffs who will dog you for doing it that way.
Like I say, build it the way you want as long as your happy with it. But do try to avoid a huge mistake like the desert, unless it's what if. Then be sure to state it. Hope that helps and not deter you from continuing.

[noll]

here are some pics everyone!









Btw congrats on getting into the FineScale Modeler magazine Rob!



(if you want i can edit the image so it does not have your name etc in it).


-Oliver

[noll]

Relating to the above pics, I will probably remove the ditch at some point.

[robbo]

The size of the base is much better, the ST looks right at home

[406 Silverado]

Yep the base looks much better Oliver.

ah it made it to FSM, cool. No need to edit the image, thanks for the offer. Looking forward to see this baby take shape.

[noll]

One quick question. Do you think that brush-applying Tamiya Flat Clear (XF-86) would work(as opposed to airbrushing). I'm asking because i only have 1/2 of a bottle of compressed air left and would have to convince my parents to go for a 45min drive to get another one.

It will just be the coat between the primer and the hull (to insure that the hull color isn't rubbed off when I use hairspray and salt).

-Oliver

[406 Silverado]

Not sure how that will work with the brush. I am sure if you can get a nice thin layer with little of no brush marks, it will work. Or just mist one layer with the AB. Have you checked ebay etc for a used compressor ? Doesn't have to be a fancy one as long as air comes out. You can regulate the pressure with the AB if there is no regulator. That was how I did it with my first comp. We have a HarborFreight here that sells comps cheap, don't know if you have one up there.

[406 Silverado]

ssshhhh Ken, it's a secret...LOL guess they think MA stands for Maine. No matter, I know where I live....most of te time...LOL
How's things bro ??

[deafpanzer]

Agree with guys... revised base looks much better now. I am still following your build with interest. Keep it coming!

[noll]

Sept 21, 2012 9:10:46 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Not sure how that will work with the brush. I am sure if you can get a nice thin layer with little of no brush marks, it will work. Or just mist one layer with the AB. Have you checked ebay etc for a used compressor ? Doesn't have to be a fancy one as long as air comes out. You can regulate the pressure with the AB if there is no regulator. That was how I did it with my first comp. We have a HarborFreight here that sells comps cheap, don't know if you have one up there.

Was looking on Ebay, and I found this compressor an airbrush combo:

www.ebay.com/itm/New-SIPHON-SUCTION-FEED-Dual-Action-AIRBRUSH-AIR-COMPRESSOR-SYSTEM-KIT-Gift-Set-/190606749374?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c610c2ebe

The Ab i have atm is a $25 one i bought to get started airbrushing, so this should be a step up

[406 Silverado]

That looks like a great beginner set up and the price is great. You can always upgrade later with new ab's.

[noll]

Sorry that i haven't posted n a long time everyone! I've been very busy, but i'll try to post some more soon, especially after my airbrush+compressor arrives

[noll]

Oct 1, 2012 14:58:27 GMT -5 @dickyf said:

Big improvement on the base/composition Oliver....ya won't look back once yer have the compressor bud - the worlds yer oyster....lookin' forward to updates

MA?..... So it's not MadagascA??

Thanks! It's getting there . I'm actually about to add some wall putty for a base (to soften the angles, etc) and then I will sprinkle sand and glue in layers on top of that.

The compressor that I'm getting is here:

www.ebay.com/itm/-/380475715995?item=380475715995&ViewItem=&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:CA:3160


It's 2nd hand, but it looks to be in good condition, and the seller is top rated

[noll]

I also accidentally found a really cool weathering process...

When you combine this:



With a paintbrush (rather then airbrush)

you get this (completely accidentally)





I will have to repaint now, but it's a pretty cool effect I will most likely use it again after putting the coat on properly and putting the camo on.


By the way, would anyone have any tips for making the sturm seem slightly sunken into the ground? I would just push it a bit into the plaster/putty while wet, but it seems to strip the paint off it when it is wet.

-Oliver

[noll]

Bump?

[406 Silverado]

LOL, some times the best effects are those found by mistakes/accidents. Looking forward to seeing the base.

[noll]

Oct 2, 2012 14:30:28 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

LOL, some times the best effects are those found by mistakes/accidents. Looking forward to seeing the base.

It was quite a lucky accident

Here are a couple of better pics:





Now to figure out how to make the Sturm appear slightly sunken without stripping its paint (the putty does that when wet). Saran Wrap maybe?

[noll]

Anyone?

[406 Silverado]

Sorry, thought I had commented. Yes, seran wrap to keep the putty/plaster from going on the model. You can sink the tank making an impression, wait for it to set up , then remove the model. You should have a good imprint of where the tank will sit/sink. You may have to fill in a little when you do finally glue the model in place.

[noll]

Well, I have now applied the putty and sprinkled a 1st layer of sand on top (while it was wet). I will most likely airbrush/drybrush the sand later to make it the right color ( its darker then it seems to be in the below photos, too)

Here are some pics:











Once everything dries in a couple of days, I'll begin painting (well, if my airbrush +comp is there by then).

It's getting there

-Oliver

[406 Silverado]

Very nice. The smaller base really does look better. You don't really have to have the AB to apply the main colors. I like to use earth tone acrylics from the craft store to apply the first base colors. I thin these a bit and start applying them like a wash. I then use the AB to add tonal variation and then earth toned pigments.

[noll]

Oct 3, 2012 16:51:33 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Very nice. The smaller base really does look better. You don't really have to have the AB to apply the main colors. I like to use earth tone acrylics from the craft store to apply the first base colors. I thin these a bit and start applying them like a wash. I then use the AB to add tonal variation and then earth toned pigments.

Thanks! I'm glad that i downsized the base too - thanks for the advice about that a few weeks ago.

I'm also trying to decide whether to make it a desert scene or a marsh/random dirt clearing etc - I have moss, etc and dirt colored paint, but i also have sandy paint for drybrushing the sand, which would be easier, and would require a different kind of weathering.

Which do you think I should choose?

-Oliver

[noll]

Bump?

I have to keep bumping. Maybe I should start doing *nudge*?

[noll]

ANYONE?

[noll]

More Pics! (After the excess sand had been shaken off)



Also, the fumes from the putty damaged the paint a bit . I needed to repaint anyway though. Some pics of that:





-Oliver

[noll]

Also, I took the rocks off and am soaking them in paint thinner to try to get the putty off of them (It got on their tops).

[406 Silverado]

I'd go with the marsh and not the desert. If this was an early Tiger I then desert would be ok.

[noll]

Oct 5, 2012 8:41:05 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I'd go with the marsh and not the desert. If this was an early Tiger I then desert would be ok.

That shouldn't be too hard to do Just a layer of dirt and glue and some resin for puddles. I also have some moss that I can grind up.

-Oliver